The International Criminal Court (ICC) has publicly identified several high-ranking allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, including sitting Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, as co-perpetrators in the alleged commission of crimes against humanity during the Philippines' controversial "War on Drugs."
In a significant development released by the Office of the Prosecutor on February 13, 2026, a lesser-redacted version of the Document Containing Charges (DCC) was made public. The filing outlines a coordinated "Common Plan" intended to "neutralize" alleged criminals and drug personalities through extrajudicial killings. According to the ICC prosecution, this plan was initiated during Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City and was later expanded into a national campaign when he assumed the presidency in 2016.
The 16-page document names eight specific individuals who allegedly shared this common agreement with the former president. Alongside Senators dela Rosa and Go, the list includes former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, former National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran, and former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Isidro Lapeña. High-ranking police officials were also named, including former Philippine National Police chiefs Oscar Albayalde, Vicente Danao, and the late Camilo Cascolan.
Prosecutors allege that Duterte sat at the apex of a hierarchical structure, utilizing both the police and civilian hitmen—collectively known as the Davao Death Squad (DDS)—to carry out murders. The charges currently encompass at least 49 specific incidents of killings involving 78 victims between November 2011 and March 2019. The ICC describes the co-perpetrators as essential to the management and implementation of these operations, with some allegedly serving as "handlers" who reported directly to Go or dela Rosa, who in turn reported to Duterte.
The release of the names comes at a time of heightened political tension. Senator Go has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as "unfounded, one-sided, and unfair." He maintained that he had no involvement in or authority over the police operations during his time as the Special Assistant to the President. Meanwhile, Senator dela Rosa has not been seen in public or attended Senate sessions since November 2025, following reports that an ICC warrant for his arrest was imminent.
Human rights organizations and victims' families have welcomed the disclosure, viewing it as a long-awaited step toward accountability. Rights groups have urged the ICC to issue immediate arrest warrants for the named co-perpetrators, citing risks of witness intimidation and flight.
Former President Duterte himself remains in ICC custody in The Hague after being arrested in early 2025. The prosecution’s move to name his close associates serves as a prelude to the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for February 23, 2026, which will determine if there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to a full trial.